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Horsemeat scandal: EU ministers to discuss action Horsemeat found in Ikea meatballs in Czech Republic
(about 9 hours later)
European Union agriculture ministers are set to meet in Brussels for talks widely expected to focus on the continent's growing horsemeat scandal. Swedish-style meatballs intended for sale at Ikea outlets in the Czech Republic have been found to contain horsemeat, inspectors have revealed.
The labelling of the origin of meat and the traceability of the products will be high on the agenda. The discovery comes as European Union agriculture ministers meet in Brussels for talks widely expected to focus on the growing horsemeat scandal.
The scandal erupted last month when horsemeat was found in some beef meals and burgers in the UK and Ireland. Inspectors said horsemeat was found in meatballs labelled as beef and pork, set for sale at the furniture giant.
Since then, supermarkets across Europe have had to withdraw affected prepared meals from their shelves. The scandal began last month with frozen meals and burgers.
It spread from the UK and Ireland, with traces of horsemeat and horse DNA being found in food across the EU.
Supermarkets across Europe have had to withdraw affected prepared meals from their shelves.
Some 760kg (1,675lb) of the Swedish-style meatballs were intercepted and stopped from reaching Czech shelves, officials told the Associated Press.
Horsemeat was also found in beef burgers imported from Poland, the Czech State Veterinary Administration said.
'Concrete action''Concrete action'
The labelling of the origin of meat and the traceability of the products will be high on the agenda at the EU ministers meeting.
The BBC's Imogen Foulkes in Brussels says the original agenda of the ministerial meeting included support for rural communities and the common fisheries policy.The BBC's Imogen Foulkes in Brussels says the original agenda of the ministerial meeting included support for rural communities and the common fisheries policy.
However, the ministers will now try to come up with measures to tackle the horsemeat scandal.However, the ministers will now try to come up with measures to tackle the horsemeat scandal.
Our correspondent says that there seems to be consensus that this is a pan-European problem that requires a concerted approach.Our correspondent says that there seems to be consensus that this is a pan-European problem that requires a concerted approach.
France and Germany both want compulsory labelling and traceability.France and Germany both want compulsory labelling and traceability.
UK Environment Secretary Owen Paterson said on Friday that he would "continue to insist on concrete, co-ordinated action right across Europe when I meet European agriculture ministers on Monday".UK Environment Secretary Owen Paterson said on Friday that he would "continue to insist on concrete, co-ordinated action right across Europe when I meet European agriculture ministers on Monday".
But a workable deal could be difficult, our correspondents says. The discovery of horsemeat has long, complex and poorly regulated supply chains in the meat industry. But a workable deal could be difficult, our correspondents says. The discovery of horsemeat comes in long, complex and poorly regulated supply chains in the meat industry.
At least a dozen countries are involved in the horsemeat affair, which implicates some of the biggest meat processors and food producers.At least a dozen countries are involved in the horsemeat affair, which implicates some of the biggest meat processors and food producers.
Italy joined the list on Saturday, reporting horsemeat in some lasagne products.Italy joined the list on Saturday, reporting horsemeat in some lasagne products.
On Friday, Germany's consumer affairs ministry announced it had found traces of horse DNA in 67 of 830 food products tested.On Friday, Germany's consumer affairs ministry announced it had found traces of horse DNA in 67 of 830 food products tested.
Irish authorities on Friday suspended production at one processing plant after horsemeat was found labelled as beef.Irish authorities on Friday suspended production at one processing plant after horsemeat was found labelled as beef.